Illnesses Caused by Black Mold

Black mold which we encounter almost every day in our houses, offices and other buildings is scientifically known as Stachybotrys, and it also has several other different species, the names, genus and properties of whom are largely congruent. These molds and their species pose two types of threats for our health. Firstly, the black molds are filamentous fungi and are thus principally microbes. In such a case, they tend to form harmful spores for asexual reproduction that later on concert into the fungi. Such spores inhabit our surroundings and even our body causing us to fall prey to infections and diseases related to fungal infections. Apart from that, some types of Stachybotrys or black mold also tend to produce trichothecene, mycotoxins, satratoxins and several other types of toxins. Some minor infections by the fungus itself cannot be ruled out, all of which are equally dangerous.

List of Illnesses Caused by Black Mold

The following is a brief list of some of the common black mold health issues. Intensity and time period of exposure usually do not matter owing to the fact that the illnesses can be caused to almost any person who comes into contact with the mold, even for a fraction of a second. On the whole, be careful and free of black mold as the ailments and their spread can be highly unpredictable, and also very highly contagious. There are over 50 different species of black mold, several of which cause very different and unpredictable ailments.

1. Mild Reactions to Exposure to Black Mold
Let us start with the least intense ailments. Whenever your body comes into contact with the toxins, spores, secretions or the actual fungi, it reacts. In such a case the common symptoms that would be depicted by your body include coughing, irritation, nasal restlessness, mild fever, scratchy facial skin, redness of eyes and even runny eyes and nose. These symptoms are basically depictions of the fact that your body does not welcome alien bodies and elements. These symptoms are an attempt by the human body to repel and expel the alien bodies. Even after this, if these bodies and substances do enter the body, our body starts generating anti-bodies. This phenomenon is also often referred to as an Allergic Rhinitis, though it not so in all the cases. Maximum inflation and itchiness are acute symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis.

2. Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
In cases where the exposure has been prolonged and antibodies have been developed, exposure to the fungi, toxins and also spores cause inflammation of lungs on a continual level, thereby damaging the respiratory system. This significantly affects and damages the lung texture and results into severe coughing, sneezing and breathing problems. The lung tissues also get substantially damaged, the entire ailment being called Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Loss of appetite is a common symptom in such a case.

3. Pathogenic Infections
Black Mold exposure often causes pathogenic infections such as aspergillus, fumigatus, histoplasma, etc. Apart from that these pathogens also cause toxic deposition in the body leading up to poisoning in respiratory as well as digestive systems. The pathogens can also cause digestive ailments such as, fibrosis and necrosis, depicting stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting and in extreme situations, internal bleeding.

4. Aspergillosis: Lungs and Respiratory System
The spores or the actual black mold fungi are small and also capable enough of entering the respiration system. The first part of the human body that these alien bodies affect is the sinus tissue leading to adverse colds and quasi-flus. Following the sinus the lungs get effected. In an intense situation when a large amount of spores, toxins and the fungi enter the lungs intense chest pains and the breathing gets troubled and hampered. Without medical attention this situation can get escalated and clogged balls of mold fibers, white blood cells and clotted blood get developed resulting into coughing up of blood. Such a situation is grave and if you experience any such symptoms, rush to the doctor immediately.

Please note that highly prolonged and ignored invasion of black old can cause diseases such as Fibromyalgia, Tuberculosis, Cancer, reproductive and hormonal imbalance, Lupus, Chronic Fatigue Disorder and worst of all Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The root cause of black mold in such instances may also go unnoticed. Hence be ready and undertake a black mold exposure treatment.